Interstate 10 Calcasieu River Bridge Update

Posted by: Chamber SWLA Staff on Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Chamber SWLA officials have announced the creation of a task force as part of its effort to facilitate the replacement of the Interstate 10/Calcasieu River Bridge. The group’s first goal is to generate project financing recommendations which will be forwarded to state and federal officials to expedite the process.

The bridge is located in the middle of the Interstate 10 corridor which stretches between California and Florida and its replacement is paramount to the continued vitality of America’s energy, petro-chemical, marine, tourism and transportation sectors.

Built in 1952, the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, has outlived its structural capacity and usefulness in today’s fast paced national and international business climate. Studies by the National Bridge Inventory and Louisiana officials have established that the bridge does not meet traffic capacity standards which can impede commerce and create safety concerns.

Challenges to the replacement of the bridge include the federal and state’s infrastructure funding process, environmental considerations, current and anticipated traffic patterns, as well as debate over bridge height and the relocation of an existing railroad line.

The Americans for Transportation Mobility (ATM) Coalition (https://www.fasterbettersafer.org) – which includes the United States Chamber of Commerce – has announced that the I-10/Calcasieu River Bridge needs to be replaced and funding must be made available. Members of the ATM Coalition come from business, labor and union sectors, transportation stakeholders, and the public. Their goal is to advocate for a top-grade American infrastructure system.

In an April 2018 press release, ATM stated that “The I-10 bridge is an ideal example of the need of the federal government and states and private investors to work together to modernize America’s infrastructure.”

The need for a new bridge in southwest Louisiana is especially important because the region is the epicent of America’s liquefied natural gas renaissance. Currently, Southwest Louisiana is home to over $100 billion in announced new and expanding industrial facilities. It is also home to a top ten port, world-class pipeline system, multiple rail service providers, regional and international airports, and gaming resort hotels.

By creating the task force, the Chamber SWLA is taking a leadership role in advocating for a new bridge.

“America and our region deserve a new Interstate 10 Bridge. Our task force is comprised of area leaders who are talented and skilled in problem solving. This is our version of an infrastructure policy dream team,” said George Swift, President and CEO of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance and Chamber SWLA.

Task force members held their first meeting in October 2017. Since then, the group has investigated the history of the bridge and efforts to replace it, examined possible funding methods, heard from consultants and government officials and considered public policy, strategic plan development and governmental affairs strategies.

In February 2018, the Chamber SWLA Board of Directors approved a resolution to allow the task force to work on the project beyond the development of financing recommendations.

Southwest Louisiana businessman Keith DuRousseau chairs the Task Force. He said members are committed for the long-haul adding that “Our task force members represent a broad range of interests that includes business, engineering, education, tourism, gaming, law, manufacturing, construction and finance; We understand the sense of urgency and the critical need for the replacement of the Interstate 10/Calcasieu River Bridge. It is vital to our everyday life as we know it.”

Once the task force completes the first phase of its work, a financing recommendation will be presented to the Chamber SWLA Board of Directors for review and approval. The recommendation will be shared with local governmental officials and area agencies with the intention of developing a coalition that can work collectively with state and national decision makers.

In conjunction with the task force works, the Chamber SWLA will continue a public campaign to bring attention to the need for the bridge to be replaced.

The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance/Chamber of Commerce SWLA recently welcomed two new additions to their sales and members services staff. Ana Denison and Ashley Register will assist new members, sharing the benefits of their membership.

“Replacing this bridge has been topic of concern and debate for decades,” said I-10 Bridge Task Force Chairperson Keith DuRousseau. “The bridge is vital to the economic fabric of our region and we cannot afford to wait while the state and federal government continue to delay and to allocate funds to projects in other areas. Our research was very eye-opening on the various delays and made us even more determined to find a solution.”